Sectionalized curtain-stretcher



J. M. EAKiNS. SEGTQDNALIZED CURTAIN STRETCHER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.13, 1920.

Patented May 1%, 1921 ooooo ooolo ATTORNEY-5.

EJTATES raraar crisis SECTIOIJ'ALIZED CURTAIN -STRETCH.ER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16 1921.

Application filed December 13, 1920. Serial No. 430,278.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES M. EAKINS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Indianapolis, county of Marion, and State of Indiana, have invented a certain new and useful Sect-ionalized Curtain-Stretcher; and if do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanylng drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts.

This invention relates to a collapsible curtain stretching frame.

The chief object of this invention is to provide a collapsible curtain stretchlng frame which may be collapsed lnto a compact construction when not in use, and which may be extended or assembled into the desired size so as to accommodate the curtain to be stretched.

The chief feature of the invention consists in detachably associating a plurality of substantially similar stretching units, which when assembled are adapted to receive the curtain or curtains to be stretched.

Another feature of the invention consists in providing each of the stretcher units with means for securing a curtain thereto, and this provision permits the assembled. frame to support and stretch for drying purposes curtains of various sizes.

Another feature of the invention consists in providing the stretcher units with adjustable means for engaging the curtain.

Still a further feature of the invention consists in the broad construction of the unit and the locking means for detachably securing said units together.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of eight units secured together to form a curtain stretcher of the capacity indicated. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the locking connection between two adjacent portions of the detachable stretcher units. Fig. 4; is a side elevational view of the locking tongue connection. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the locking groove connection. Fig. 6 is an elevational view of one of the adjustable rods. Fig. 7 is an end view of the same.

In the drawings 10 indicates a large curtain, and 11 a smaller curtain which is adapted to be stretched and dried upon a frame embodying the invention. In the drawings, there are illustrated eight stretcher units assembled together to form a curtain frame of sutlicient size to receive the larger curtain. With this invention it will be noted that a plurality of curtains of different sizes may be accommodated by the curtain frame, proper adjustment being made for each curtain, the smaller curtains as illustrated are positioned beneath the larger curtains. Since each of the stretcher units is substantially similar to or identical with the others, a description of one will suflicefor an understanding of them all.

Each of the stretcher units is composed of a rectangular frame 12 in the form of a square, or otherwise, which frame has its opposite sides parallel and in the same plane and its adjacent sides in a parallel plane, which constructionis shown clearly in Fig. 2. The depressed portion 112 of the frame 12 is so provided that the adjustable curtain supporting means may be positioned such that the same will lie substantially in the same plane, and that the same means may be used for longitudinal or transverse connections. The upper face 212 of the frame 12 is provided with a plurality of openings 13, which openings preferably are in spaced relation with each other and with openings in the opposite side of the frame such that pairs of openings are adapted to cooperate with each other to receive a curtain supporting member, such as the rod 14:. The rod 14 is adapted to extend across the opening in the rectangular frame and the top face 2.12 thereof and have a depending portion 114 which is insertible into and receivable by a pair of openings 13. The rod ll is further provided with an angular eX- tension 2141- upon its free end such that the portion 214 will lock the rod to the rectangular frame after said end and the angular portions 114 are inserted. in the opening 13. Since in the present construction the rectangular frame unit is substantially square, it will be understood that any of the rods 14.- are receivable by any pair of opposite openings 13. Each of the rods 14 carries a plurality of curtain receiving hooks 15 which may be of any suitable or preferred shape or construction, but preferably said hooks are adapted to hang in a depending position until such time as the curtain is to be supported thereby, whereupon the hooks are elevated into a substantially horizontal position for engagement with the curtain to support said curtain.

The means for securing the detachable units to ether referabl 7 include a tongue and groove connection which is herein illustrated in its simplest form. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other tongue connections may be substituted for that hereinafter to be described, or other means may be used with equal or less facility for 'cletachably securing the units together-to form the curtain frame of the desired dimensions. It will, of course, be understood that two adjacent sides are provided with tongue and groove connections,

one side being provided with tongue con nections and the other slde belng provided with groove connections; and since each of the units is similarly provided, it will be the detachable connection, and said tongue portion as therein illustrated is punched from the depending portion of the rectangular frame, leaving the opening 18 therein which does not materially decrease the strength of the frame. The tongue 17 is connected :to its frame by means of the neck 19 shown clearly in Fig. 3. The slot 16 is of suflicient length to receive the tongue 17, and said frames are supported in abuttable relation by the neck 19 so that said frames will not sag, and said frames are locked together in said abuttable relation by the tongue portion 17 as illustrated.

The invention claimed is: V

' 1. In a curtain stretcher, the combination of a plurality of separable rectangular frame units, means detachably securing said frame units together, each frameunit having a plurality'of alined holes in opposite sides, and detachable rod means adjustable upon said units for attaching a curtain thereto.

2. A curtain stretcher comprising a rectangular frame, two opposite sides being higher than the other two opposite sides,

said frame havinga plurality of openings therein, the openings in opposite sides being in alinement, and rod means seatable in said alined openings.

In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature. JAMES M. EAKINS. 

